Isolation of Dermatophytes from Clinically Suspected Cases of Superficial Fungal Infections

Dermatophytes are keratinophilic fungi responsible for dermatophytoses which are superficial mycoses affecting skin, hair and nails. The aim of the study was to isolate dermatophytes from clinically suspected cases of superficial fungal infections. This study was carried out at the Department of Microbiology, Grant Government Medical College & Sir J.J Group of Hospitals, Mumbai. A total of 279 clinically suspected cases of superficial fungal infections were included in the present study. The specimens like skin scraping, nail and hair were collected with all aseptic precautions and were first examined under microscope on KOH mount and then inoculated on to duplicate slopes of Sabouraud dextrose agar (plain) and SDA (Chloramphenicol and Cycloheximide). Lactophenol cotton blue preparations were made of each fungal growth and were identified using specific tests like slide culture, hair perforation and urease test. Out of the 279 clinically suspected cases of superficial mycoses, maximum involved the skin (65.23%) and a total of 216 (77.42%) cases were of clinically suspected dermatophytoses. KOH mount examination alone could detect 144 (66.66%) cases out of the 216 clinically suspected cases of dermatophytoses. A total 162 isolates were confirmed in which maximum dermatophytes 122 (75.30%) were found. Amongst the dermatophytes, T. rubrum was the commonest pathogenic species isolated followed by T. mentagrophytes. Other species isolated were T. tonsurans, M. gypseum, E. floccosum, T. verrucosum and M. audouinii, T. rubrum and T. mentagrophytes were mainly isolated from Tinea unguium followed by Tinea corporis cases. M. gypseum was isolated only from Tinea capitis cases whereas M. audouinii was isolated only from Tinea unguium cases. Dermatophytoses are the most common types of superficial cutaneous fungal infections. The incidence of Dermatophytoses is increasing in India due to widespread and indiscriminate use of corticosteroids and antifungal agents without performing appropriate microbiological investigations.